Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Flu Vaccine Update: Craig Westover has an excellent column analyzing the causes behind the flu vaccine shortage, and why that kind of shortage could extend to other medications under a system of federal drug price controls.

Meanwhile, I keep reading that the CDC is working with Aventis-Pasteur and Chiron suppliers to find out who needs the vaccine and to distribute it to those who have high risk patients. I have yet to hear anything from my supplier, Chiron's main distributor in the U.S. What's even more worrisome, the public health department here seems to be as clueless as I am:

Moser expects more vaccine to make its way to Summit County via the drug manufacturer Aventis Pasteur and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but he can't guarantee that will happen.

Hmm. Maybe I was too premature in my praise for the CDC's plan. They certainly haven't been very good at keeping the lines of communication open with those on the front lines.